The kids wrote their first typed up emails ever!

Thank you for teaching us about other countries.  I still have a few questions.  What is the favorite pet of people living in England?  What favorite sport do people play the most in England?  I ask this question because I am kind of a sports guy.

I read a book about Africa and remember that one of the countries there is  Rwanda.  Many people grow lots of bananas there.  They get to vote for a president.  I will remember you.  —-Caleb

I’d like you to know that we received a 2nd place ribbon for our

Science Fair Project.  We grew green beans inside and in a different season.  We went to Lewis Park with a real park ranger.  She wore a uniform like a soldier.  She took us on a nature walk and taught us about the trees.  We planted 15 packets of flowers all around the park, too!  We went to see the play Cinderella at the high school.  I liked the music!  We planted vegetables in the school garden and herbs in other places around the school.  I read a book about Egypt.  I liked seeing the pictures because it helped

me think I was there.  I look forward to seeing you next year

—-De’Vonte’

Do you have any relatives in Europe?  The RAP STAR store is open now.  We can spend our tickets like money and get lots of different things.  Have you gone shopping alot?  What kinds of things do you like the best from your trip?  Do you carry maps around with you to help you find a place?  Do you drive a car or ride a bike?   What is your favorite food there?  What is your favorite food and drink there?  Are you having a wonderful time?

I read about Ireland and that they have many traditional instruments.—-bag pipes, drums, fiddle, accordian, a wooden flute

a special drum, and tin whistle

—-Destiny

I read a book about Egypt.  There are places in the dessert called an oasis that has water for people.  We read a lot of different versions of Cinderella.  It was really interesting and fun.  There were over 50 different books from all over the world!  I think you have to keep up with your study habits but I was wondering if there are movie theaters there.

Our good news is that we are spending more time learning social studies.  The bad news is that we worry about Caleb because he is very sick and has not been able to come to school.  He is in the hospital.  He had an asthma attack.  (He came back to school, but looks very weak.)—-Reggie

Guess what?  You know the picture of the food you sent us.  I found the same food you sent in a book I read about Spain!  It said it is called Pallea and it has safron in it.  I learned that Spanish people vacation at villas.  The Flamenco is a special dance in this country.  I still have to look up what safron is.  We did the M.A.P. test.  It was kind of cool to be able to show what you know by taking it.  Mrs. Rosso worked hard for us in getting us ready to take the test.  She brought peanut butter sandwiches and apples that we ate before we took the test.  We could chew gum, eat a piece of hard candy and take off our shoes while we were taking the test!  When we were finished taking the test, we had snacks and water in the afternoon because we worked so hard that we were still hungry and thirsty even after eating lunch!  Jalen and Carlos and Safa projects won 2nd place in our Science Fair.  Reggie already told you about our class project.  I miss you.

—-Micah

How many hours are you learning in school each day?  Are you making a lot of friends from other countries?  What do you miss about our country?  Are there a lot of outdoor markets or shopping malls in London?  I was awarded the most improved student in 4th grade.  I went to a special ceremony and received a plaque.  I wore a pretty cream colored suit.  I’ll show you the pictures when we see you next year.   I liked seeing the robot that the junior high students made move around and do things.  It was amazing!  I made a book mark there.  They had computers set up and I played a game on it.  A lot of my family came and I felt good because they were proud of me.  Mrs. Rosso walked around with me and we saw the other activities and exhibits together. 

Mozambique is  place in Africa that has a lot of mountains.

—-Kayla

Are you going to visit Africa?  Do you know how to speak the languages of the people  Did you buy a dress when you went to Spain?  I like fashion.  I am going to start learning how to sew this summer.  I am very excited about learning how to sew clothes.  We think the art picture you sent us was Picasso.  Are we right.  We had extra recess on the days we took the M.A.P. tests.  It was fun!  I liked going to Lewis Park.  It was a beautiful day!  We walked there.  I learned a lot about nature.  I wonder if the flowers we planted can be seen yet.  I’ll have to ask my Mommy to take me to Lewis Park.  I won an award for a bird picture that I drew when we studied Missouri birds.  I received the 2nd place award.  We are going on a girls’ day with Mrs. Rosso, Alonna and our moms this Saturday to visit the Bird Sanctuary, the Rivers Museum and to pick up our awards.  It will be fun to take a trip together.  Where else will you be traveling to?  —-Ireland, Scotland, Russia.  Have you gone to any dances or plays?  I am interested in learning more about the different foods from other countries.  I love learning about Russia!  I love learning about all kinds of myths!  I read about Ireland.  They eat potato cakes for breakfast.  They do a lot of fishing there.  —-Brandi

Did you see the Queen of England?  Cricket is a game played there.  Did you play Cricket?

—-Brandon

I read about Spain.  I learned that they eat more fresh fish than any other country except Spain!  Do you know what the Rosetta stone says in your picture?  Gabriel

I read a book about Islam.  A man thought he was God and started this religion.  I wonder how he became God?  Did the British steal anything from the Islam People?  How do you get around to the different countries?  We planted radishes, lettuce, beets, carrots and spinach in our school garden.  It is a lot of work!  The Science Fair project I did with Carlos won 1st place and got a ribbon for participating in the regional show, too! 

—-Jalen

We took the M.A.P. test.  It made my brain hurt!  We had over 40 projects displayed in the Science Lab.  Everybody  worked hard.  It was interesting to see the other projects.  I did an project.  It was about which detergent works the best.  We wrote blues poems and read them to a famous musician who came to our school for the day and gave a concert in the evening.  His name is Kevin Gordon and can he play the guitar!  He is a poet who puts music to the words of his poems.  I read about Ghana.  Did you know that I was there last summer?  Cedi means money in Ghana

Plantain and yams are fruit in Ghana. 

 Safa

Do the people in London like the vampire movies that we like here.

The library has New Moon;  The Movie Edition.  Mancala is a game they play in Africa.  —-Alonna

I liked the pictures you sent us.  Will you bring back more for us to see when we have our club next year?  How many languages do you want to learn?  Did you know that Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie is in the movie theaters now?  There is a book about the movie, too!  Did the park with the row boats have other things to do there?  Do you have a favorite place that you go to a lot?  Does there money look like our money?  Okra is eaten by a lot of people that live in Egypt!  It is in the northeast corner of Africa.

—-Carlos

Did you know that Africa is the 2nd largest continent.  Russia is the largest country.    White nations went to Africa and claimed it their land and kept Africans as slaves.  This is called colonialism Africans have special traditions like they use music for weddings, funerals and when a baby is born.  They make cool sculptures out of clay, too!—-Nyles 

Part 2:
(I got each of you a present from the Palace Real)
My favorite activity I did with my friends in Madrid was have a picnic in Retiro Park and they go row boating! We were pretty bad at getting the boat to go where we wanted but had so much fun. Here is a pic of my in the row boat with a beautiful sculpture in park in back of me.
Here is also a funny picture of me rowing us into a wall. (I was NOT skilled with those paddles)
Madrid was so much fun. People there just stay outside all day and love to talk in Spanish only, even if they know English. Typical food in Madrid contains lots of ham or seafood. Paella is a very spanish dish with rice, vegtables, and seafood. Here is a picture of it:
Madrid was a lot of fun but I liked Istanbul more because it wasn’t as touristy and they buildings were so much more grand!
I have also been traveling around England a bit. I went to Bath where they have Roman Hot Baths that Romans used to go and relax and socialize in. Here a picture of me in front of the stemming baths. (We couldn’t go in the Baths but it was still pretty amazing to see how they channelled water from aqueducts far away to create these baths). I got each of you realllyyyy cool Roman coins from the Roman bath!
I also went to Stonehenge. This place is one of the oldest anthropological sites on earth! Before trailers, trucks, or any other type fo machinery to lift heavy materials, people dragged HUGE boulders from all over England to create a ritual site. Here is a picture of it:
Do you guys want to look up the suspected reason why people did this? Religious? Cultish? Artistic?
After this visit I have just been writing my essays for African Art, History of Africa, and History of South Asia, that is why it has taken me sooo long to get back to you guys.
But now I’m done and my dad is coming to visit me tonight.
So cool that you guys are studying about Shakespeare. I am going to Paris and Rome with my dad on Monday! When I get back I will visit the Globe Theatre and the London Bridge and send picures. Can you guys look up Paris, France and Rome, Italy and ask me some questions about it. Or if you write back in the next couple of days, tell me where to go and I will go and send back pictures for you!


I miss all of you desperately!


Much love,

Miss. Ava

Hi Mrs. Rosso and crew!


I loved loved loved your email! I have read it at least 3 times already and I read some of your questions to friends.
Did you guys take home books or watch videos about Turkey, Spain, or England?
Will all the student be here next Fall for the international table we will set up?
To answer a few of your questions about London:
Yes the Russell Hotel is across the street from where I go to school in Russell Square. Russell Square is about a 30 minute walk from where I live in Kings Cross.
I have been to the National Portrait Gallery in Trafalagar Square, the British Museum, and the Tate Britain. The first attachment is a picture of me and my best friend Tory in front of the Rosette Stone. The Rosetta Stone is the reason we can decipher Hieroglyphics (one of the oldest written languages ever - created in Egypt)! The British Musuem also has amazing exhibits from all over the world. Unfortunately the main way the British got a lot of these artifacts was by invading and colonizing communities around the world. For instance, many items in the African exhibit were stolen or pilaged from African villages from 1400s onward. :(
Piccadilly and Oxford Circus are not actual circuses but just very busy areas of London that is like a circus of people. (similar to Times Square in NYC). To get to these places and most other places in London I take the bus or the tube (like a subway or underground metro). Here is a picture of me and my friend Gaby making funny faces on the Tube. Gaby goes to Princeton and she also went with me to Istanbul.
To answer your questions about food in England. The fries (fries or chips) here do taste the same but people put mayonnaise or vinegar on them! But otherwise the food is pretty much the same as it is in America. There are so many different people in London with different backgrounds that I get to eat tons of different ethnic food from around the world, like WONDERFUL Indian food.
To answer your question, yes even though there are many public phone booths most people in London are very wealthy and modern and own fancy cell phones!
It is wonderful that you went to that Disabilities Project. I actually now have a job in London looking after playgrounds for the disabled. I make sure no one gets hurt and I get to play with some wonderful British children!
Let me tell you guys a little about Istanbul. I went with my two American friends who are also studying at the same uni (thats what they call college here, and they call high school college).
Istanbul is a very Muslim country but their government is secular (that means they don’t follow Muslim law as their political law). So women do not have to wear headscarfs or follow any other religious rules. You guys said you went to the Library and learned about Islam. What do you think? Do you have any Muslim friends?
Turkey is more of the most modern and developed countries in the Middle East! Here is a map of Turkey! Can you guys find Istanbul on it?
The whole east part of Turkey is in Asia. The Western part of Istanbul is in Europe! I went on a boat trip that crossed over between the two continents about 7 times in one day! Here is apicture
Itanbul also has amazing Mosques. Mosques are like Muslim churches where people come to pray five times a day. Here is a picture of the famous Hagia Sophia that is now a Museum inside and the Blue Mosque.
I actually was able to pray in the Blue Mosque but I had to put on a head scarf and skirt.
I just FELL in love with Istanbul. The food was so good and the people were so nice to us. Here is a picture of a typical Istanbul dish, meat koftes (spiced meatballs) and Turkish tea which they call cay (or chai). Also they love these bread rolls called sumit. Here is a guy with sumit on his head!
I hope you all have the opportunity to visit Istanbul. It is a thriving city with beautiful people and an amazing history! I got you guys all present from Istanbul, I look forward to giving them out!
I also went to Madrid with my 21st birthday. Madrid is the capital of Spain. It actually did remind me of Washington DC (the capital of america) because there were so much diversity, tourism, and wonderful museums. Here is a map of Spain. Can you find Madrid in the center?
My favorite thing I did in Madrid was visit the amazing Palace Real. Inside there were elaborately decorated rooms and even an exhibit on armor. Here are some pictures of outside the palace and the armor the Spanish army put on horses. Isn’t that cool!?
In Spain I also visited the Prado, which had art from Raphael, Picaso, Goya, and so many more Spanish artists. I saw the Guerrnica, which is a HUGE mural about the Spanish Civil War. Here is a pic of it:
Pretty weird and brutal right? This style of art is called Cubism. What do you guys think about it?
Since I have included so many pictures in this e-mail I will have to write a second email to tell you rest.

Ava

Hi Ms. Ava,

Wow! What a letter! Are you back in London from your visits to Turkey and Spain? What day was our birthday in February? We hope you had a fun birthday in Spain. We really enjoyed reading your letter and following your travels in Europe.

*Did you go to the part of Istanbul that is in Asia?

Did it look different than the part in Europe? Hey, the pictures are great! Especially, the ones with you in them! It took us awhile to look over the London travel map. We found where you live and wondered if the amazing Russell Hotel is in Russell Square across the street from you. We noticed ALL the museums in London. Have you had time to visit some of them? We would like to hear about the ones you visited. *What should we know about what they have in them for people to see?

*Are Piccadilly Oxford and Cambridge Circus places really shows that people can go to see?

We could not find the University of London or the building you go to classes in. What streets your classroom building located on? *How far do you have to walk to school? We figured out that we are in the 21st century. *Will you be going to visit Scotland now that you have two friends from there? We are going to the library to get books and videos about the countries that you are visiting and to learn about the Islamic religion. Tell us more about the English lingo.

* Do their chips and crisps taste like ours? How do you get around in the other countries? *Do you speak their language? We mostly thought it was a good idea that so many people living in London knew about us. We wondered why they have trouble thinking that we are as smart as them if they know so much about us! It made us think we should know more about them and other countries too. *Will you get a chance to go to Ireland, and Wales while you are so close to them. *Seeing you in the telephone booth made us wander if people in London use cell phones!

Next year, we wondered if you could help us have a table at our international night so we could help you share things you brought back and learned from this trip. Mrs. Rosso mentioned that we could have an afterschool club to prepare for this night. She said she would help us. We have been learning alot! Mrs. Rosso made a real homemade cake (from scratch) to celebrate Dr. King’s birthday. Some of our essays about what Dr. King has taught us were read at a district celebration of his life. We read them to our parents at school. Mr.s Rosso tape recorded us to be able to take the tape home to play for our families. You could hear the tape when we see you next year! We had 3 snow days and lots of cold weather days! We went to see Tom Sawyer the play by the DisAbilities Project. It was very interesting how they taught us about different disabilities and how to accept people’s differences. They acted out some of the scenes from Tom Sawyer. (not all of them) It was so cool because it had many funny parts in it and had songs in it too. They even did this cool rap song about how they felt normal even when they had to live with a disability. We talked about it being an example of how an writer can change a story a little to include some things the author wants to share with whoever reads the book or sees the play! Mrs. Rosso is going to try and get the DVD of the play so we can see it again and hear these songs again. We celebrated African American history by learning about other civil rights leaders who may not be as famous as Rosa Parks or Dr. King. Did you know that there were 2-3 other women before Rosa Parks who refused to get up out of their seats on a bus! We sang a Temptation and Supremes song for this show too. Everyone liked how we sand and danced! It was really fun! We have been studying about Shakespeare and his play All The World’s A Stage . We noticed that the Globe theater was on the London travel map you sent us. *Could you go and take pictures of the Globe theater? A group of actors came to school and performed it. It was fantastic! They really helped us understand the play. We learned that these plays were 400 years ago and we still like them! We read that the Globe was rebuilt nearby or on the foundation of the first Globe Theater. We found out that the theater was outside of the city of London across the Thames River, but on the map you sent us it looks like it is in London. What can you find out for us about the Globe Theater?

Here are some more questions.

Is the River Thames still the only way to get in and out of London? Can you send us a picture of the London Bridge? What are some foods you are eating there that we don’t eat here? How is the weather London and in the countries you are traveling at? What is the same/different about the people in each country you are traveling to? What are some special places or people we should know about from each place you are traveling to? What are some landforms or land regions we should know about in each place you are traveling to? Are there special instruments played in each country/ We counted that we have 16 questions in this letter!

We have spring break from March 12-21 coming us for us. We look forward to hearing from you! Let us know about what you think about having an International Night Table and having an international club next year. We are happy you are sharing what you are learning with us! You are helping us be smarter about other countries!

We miss you!

We are glad to have a picture of you!

Love, Safa ;), Nyles ;), Reggie ;), Micah ;), Destiny ;), Brandon ;), Kayla ;), Caleb ;), Brandi ;), Gabriel ;), Carlos ;) De’Vonte’;) Alonna, ;) Jalen ;) and Mrs. Rosso ;)

Hi Ms. Rosso and class!

I have missed you guys so much! I still have all your school pictures
on my keychain. I get many questions about them and am always happy to
talk about my favorite fourth grade class!

I arrived in London on January 9th. I can’t believe it has already
been three weeks! My first week we had an orientation with all the
other international students, a lot of whom were from NYC. One girl I
actually knew beforehand because we both volunteered in Costa Rica
together in the same program when I was 15. Do you guys know where
Costa Rica is? I have attached a map of the world and another of
London’s attractions with bus routes. (Ms. Rosso, could you print
these maps out for the students? I thought then they could actually
follow me future european travels. If not I can snail mail 20 or so
maps).

I am taking four classes. Each class has 2 hours of lecture and one
hour of a small discussion section to go over the reading for that week:

African Art II - this class is a second year class so I am with older
more experienced students which is nice

Religions of Africa - Can you guys name one big religion in Africa? -
Islam in the north and small pockets of christianity throughout the
continent. Did you guys know that there is a major Jewish population
in South Africa and Mozambique? Can you guys find Mozambique on the
map??

Society and Culture in 20th century Africa - This is a history class
that is so fascinating. Do you guys know what 20th century means? When
does the 20th century start? It actually starts in the year 1900 and
goes until 2000. Century means one hundred years. So when would the
19th century start? 1800! Weird huh? :)

Culture and Identity in Southasia - This is another history class that
focus’ on India’s Independence movement form Britain. Do you guys know
who Gandhi is? Can you find India on the map?

So three classes on Africa and one on India. I am loving all of it!

I have met sooo many amazing people and am trying to learn the English
lingo. Here are a couple examples: They say lift not elevator. Bare
chips = a lot of fries! And they call chips crisps! That had me very
confused the first week when I asked for chips and received french
fries. They call the bathroom the Lou or the Waterclosest WC for
short. They call trucks lorries. They also say fit instead of beautiful.

Other than less customer service and some different diction there
hasn’t been much of a culture shock. London is very americanized. Do
you guys think its a good thing that American culture spreads
everywhere? For instance my friends can name all the American
Presidents and many many MANY American celebrities. Can you name the
prime minister of the United Kingdom? Gordon Brown. Who was Prime
Minister before him? Tony Blair.

What countries constitute the United Kingdom? (Northern Ireland,
Scotland, Wales, and England) What country is London in? Where is
Wales, can you find it on the map? (western section of the island
where england resides)

All of this geography is so good for you I promise! When you guys
travel everyone will be so impressed with you. Unfortunately I have
come across some anti-American sentiments. People here assume I am
less smart than them because of my American accent. So when you guys
travel anywhere be ambassadors for America. Show off your smarts
because I know you guys have so much of that! :)

I have included some pictures! The first one is right across from my
school (The School of Oriental and African Studies which is apart of
the University of London system) It is the Russell Square hotel and I
never get bored gawking at it on my walk to school each morning.

The next picture is of Buckingham Palace, where the Queen lives! Do
you know her name? (Queen Elizabeth II) She doesn’t stay here a lot
but the security is very tight. It is famous for these large body
guards that aren’t allowed to talk to you even if you taunt them! They
wear huge red and black hats.

The last picture of me here is one with my two friends from Scotland!
We are standing in front of Big Ben, a beautiful clock tower right on
the River Thames (pronounced tims). To the right is the Parliament
where all the politicians for the entire United Kingdom meet.

What questions do you guys have for me? I included a map of London
with the bus routes. I live right next to Kings Cross. Can you find
that? What places would you send me to? You guys want to go home and
study this map and research one place that would be really cool to
visit? I will visit it and send pictures. I can be your little London
puppet if you put in the effort.

(Ms. Rosso - you can send me their questions and places of where to go
and then in my february e-mail I’ll respond to them)

For February I am going two places. Istanbul, Turkey for my reading
week off and Madrid, Spain for my birthday. I am turning 21 and so
excited to spend it with my friend in Madrid. Can you guys find Spain
on the map… now find Madrid.

Can you guys find Turkey on the map? Is it in Europe or Asia? Well
actually half of Istanbul in is Asia and the western half in Europe!
Weird huh!?!?!

I will send pictures of these travels in the next e-mail.

I miss you guys so much and wish I was there teaching still. Be good
for Ms. Rosso, she cares about each and everyone of you!

Best wishes,

Miss Ava